Dropout bill passes Kentucky House

6:30 PM,
Feb. 14, 2013

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A bill backed by Gov. Steve Beshear to raise the high school dropout age in Kentucky passed the House on Thursday, and supporters say they are optimistic of reaching a compromise with the Senate this year.

Kentucky law allows students to quit school at age 16 with a parent's permission, but House Bill 224 would raise the compulsory school attendance age to 17 in 2017 and to age 18 a year later, changing a law that has remained in place since the 1920s.

The measure - sponsored by Rep. Jeff Greer, D-Brandenburg - passed the Democratic-controlled House 87-10 and now heads for the Republican-led ...